§ SIR JOHN BAKER (Portsmouth)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty when the whole of the men entitled to back payment in Portsmouth Dockyard will be paid, consequent upon an order of the Admiralty, dated 10th August, 1899, which directed that the new scheme for payment of skilled labourers was to 732 date as from 1st July, and not deferred till 1st November, and, if payment is deferred beyond the present financial year, will the men be deprived of their, back pay.
MR. GOSCHENThe men will in no case be deprived of the back pay to which they may be found to be entitled under the order in question.